Sew Your New Favorite Jacket This October

Whether you like it or not, cold weather is coming to most of us in the Northern Hemisphere. And as much as I like parts of summer, the chance to layer my outfits is one of the reasons I love Fall. Sweater weather. Boots. Scarves. I'm in heaven. 

That's why we've chosen jackets for our October theme. Lighter layers that can be thrown over a t-shirt as nights get colder, then thrown over a sweater as the days stay cooler as well. 

When we went out searching for jacket patterns, there was a wide range of styles to choose from. We wanted to drawn the line between jackets and coats, with jackets being lighter, closer fitting, and less insulated. Cottons, lighter wools, and fabrics with interesting texture were the name of the game. And with that in mind, we've chosen four patterns that we think will be amazing pieces to keep you warm (but not too warm) all season long!

Sew Fearless Box: Lupin Jacket from Deer & Doe Patterns

The Lupin Jacket is a cross between a moto jacket, a bomber jacket and a blazer, and it has, in our opinion, all the best parts. It's a short, draped jacket with an easy, bomber jacket inspired collar. It is fully lined and features welt pockets, a cinched waist and shoulder tabs. 

Hitting right at the waist, it's the perfect layering piece for fit and flare dresses, jumpsuits or even t-shirts and jeans. Put it over the jumpsuits from September or the airy dresses from July, and you've immediately converted your summer makes into three season outfits. How awesome is that??

• Army Green Flannel - Brushed for softness, this fabric option is inspired by the classic army jacket (burned into our minds from Lindsey Weir from Freaks and Geeks). The olive green is neutral enough to go with lots of different outfits and soft, cotton fabric will transition well from summer to fall. 
• Floral Print Chambray - We love the idea of color blocking this jacket, so we've chosen a floral chambray for the body of the jacket and paired it with a simple light grey shetland flannel for the sleeves. The combo will have the appearance of a letterman's jacket, without the need to be on a high school football team.  
• Black Faux Suede - Want a leather jacket without the hassle of rawhide? This is the fabric for you. A faux suede on a polyester tricot back, it will have the appearance of suede but will sew up like a regular woven. Say hello to your new "fool everyone" leather moto jacket!

Sew Confident Box: Rigel Bomber from Papercut Patterns

If the Lupin Jacket has bomber jacket elements, the Rigel Bomber takes up the full mantle. With knit ribbing at the neck and cuffs and a zipper closure, it's the most casual look of the patterns in this theme, but we think that might be our favorite part of it. It's the perfect jacket to throw over a pair of jeans and immediately create a statement look. This is your weekender jacket - you know, the one you throw in a bag when you're going apple picking, or camping, or shopping, whatever your days off entail.

With the neutral ribbing, we decided to have fun with some patterns so that you can create a jacket that's not just a neutral cover up, but actually integral part of your wardrobe. Also, with each of these options, we're giving you a small cut of vegan leather to use on the shoulder detail if you'd like.

• Red and Black Buffalo Check Flannel - We couldn't do jackets without throwing some love towards this beloved lumberjack print. This is a larger scale buffalo check, 1 1/2" black stripes crisscrossing over a red background. In this way, the large pattern contrasts the finer details of the jacket. Channel your inner lumberjane (or Michael Palin) and make your new favorite plaid jacket.
• Botanical Print Cotton Sateen - Want to know the best way to survive the end of summer? Keep the summer feeling going with a tropical print. Botanicals are still big right now, and we love this large scale print, something you would normally only see in caftans or bathing suits. The contrast of a jacket pattern and this print is just subversive enough to be wonderful. Plus, the subtle sheen of the sateen dresses up the otherwise casual look of the ribbing.
• Teal Houndstooth Brushed Ponte - Houndstooth is a classic coat and jacket fabric, but rather than the typical black and white, this fabric, a very stable ponte knit, consists of yarn dyed teal and charcoal, creating a very subtle pattern. Sophisticated yet fun, it will pair perfectly with jeans and a t-shirt for your new go-to casual outfit.

Sew Curvy Box: Tania Coatigan from Jalie Patterns

If you're looking for a transitional jacket for the fall season, a coatigan seems like the perfect compromise. Part coat, part sweater, all snuggly warmth, it's light enough to be worn as a house coat but warm enough to go outside in. And the collar gives it a nice touch of sophistication beyond your typical sweater.

The other great thing about this coatigan? It can be made in so many lovely fabrics for different looks. In a sweater knit, it's loose-fitting and casual. In a heavier wool, it's verging on coat territory. And in a tightly woven broadcloth, it resembles a blazer. We decided to play with the different looks with our fabric options, and we hope you find one that gives you the style you want.

• Metallic Chambray Essex Linen - We've used Essex Linen before because we love its texture and heathered look. But we've upped the game this month with a linen woven with gold lurex thread, giving it a wonderful shine and sparkle. The combination of the homespun linen with the more modern metallic makes us swoon. This is also the lightest of the options, giving you a look somewhere between a blazer and a jacket.
• Black Poodle Wool - A tightly woven boiled wool, this fabric is a mixture of polyester and wool, giving it both warmth and softness. In a simple black, this coatigan will become the jacket you wear with absolutely everything. A classic, with good reason to be.
• Green and Blue Plaid Tweed - Outerwear is a perfect opportunity to play with plaid and we absolutely love this tweed. Bright colors - navy, lime, and kelly green - make a statement, while still being stately. The tweed also has a nubbly texture - from a small percentage of wool - giving you the handmade cardigan look. Worn over a white shirt, you have a gorgeous outfit, regardless of the season.

Sew Indulgent Box: Tamarack Jacket from Grainline Studio

The Tamarack Jacket is what we would consider the Platonic ideal of a transitional jacket. Simple, clean lines (like all the Grainline Studio patterns) mark this design. But it's the details that really set it apart. Welt pockets and a curved hem. Snap closures and a chance to play with a lining. And did we mention the quilting?! We are not quilters by trade, but the chance to incorporate the technique into garment sewing was too good to pass up. The pattern itself comes with two different suggested designs, but the great thing is that you can truly customize this jacket with the quilting design. And the you can firmly say that your jacket is one of a kind!

• Bright Navy Linen - Solid colors are always good options for jackets, but that doesn't mean that they have to be boring. This blue lands somewhere between a royal and a navy, and will give a nautical look to your jacket. The linen also means that it will be light and breathable and will only get better with age. And when you spend hours quilting a handmade jacket, you want it to last as long as possible!
• Red Viscose Cotton Jacquard - This fabric was love at first sight. Seriously. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to become the Tamarack Jacket. The jacquard weave gives it great texture, and the interplay of the actual texture of the weave and the added quilting will look gorgeous. And the red color, sort of a red clay, is absolutely stunning 
• Mustard Waffle Cotton - This fabric is all about subtlety. The golden hue is bright but earthy, an ideal fall color. And the cotton is woven with a waffle texture that adds amazing visual interest to what seems like a solid fabric. If you're a yellow fan, this is the fabric for you. You won't find another fabric like it.

For each of these options, we will include a matching lining fabric in a novelty print. If you do not want the lining and would prefer to use the self fabric, just let us know.

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In our ICYMI Classic Boxes, we're re-offering our Knit Shirt Boxes from last April. We do realize that not everyone lives in a cold climates, so for those of you who do not need jackets, these are a great alternative.

We are also going to be running a site-wide sale on our fabric and patterns in the next few weeks, so if you don't do so already, now is the time to sign up for our newsletter or follow us in Instagram.

Lastly, no travel plans this month, so the swatches should go out in a timely manner. I apologize for variation in this, but Needle Sharp is still a one woman operation, so delays happen from time to time.

Until next time...

Happy sewing,

Mary